When the weather turns chilly and you crave something warm, cozy, and deeply satisfying, nothing hits the spot like a big bowl of Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup. This creamy, comforting soup combines savory ground beef, tender potatoes, melted cheese, and aromatic vegetables to create the ultimate one-pot meal. Whether you’re feeding a busy family, hosting a casual dinner, or simply craving something hearty after a long day, this soup delivers flavor, comfort, and nostalgia in every spoonful.
What makes this recipe truly irresistible is how incredibly easy it is to make. With simple ingredients, minimal prep, and a rich cheesy broth, this soup tastes like something you’d find in a diner or old-fashioned home kitchen—but takes less than an hour to prepare. It’s filling, delicious, and guaranteed to become one of your go-to comfort meals.
Let’s dive into what makes this Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup so special, how to make it perfectly every time, and how you can customize it to suit your taste.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup
This crowd-pleasing soup checks every box for an ideal weeknight meal:
✔ Hearty and Filling
Packed with beef, potatoes, veggies, and melty cheese, it feels like a warm, comforting hug.
✔ One-Pot Meal
Easy cleanup and simple cooking.
✔ Budget-Friendly
Uses affordable ingredients like ground beef and potatoes.
✔ Great For Leftovers
Tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen.
✔ Customizable
Add bacon, switch the cheese, or make it spicy—so many ways to adjust it!
🍲 Ingredients for Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this rich, creamy soup.
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cups diced potatoes (Yukon gold or russet)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (to thicken)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Optional Additions
- Crumbled bacon
- Hot sauce
- Green onions
- Shredded mozzarella or pepper jack
- Red pepper flakes
🧑🍳 How to Make Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 — Brown the Beef
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned.
Drain excess grease and set the cooked beef aside.
Step 2 — Cook the Vegetables
In the same pot, melt the butter.
Add:
- Diced onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
Cook 4–5 minutes until the veggies soften and become fragrant.
Step 3 — Make a Roux
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables. Stir for 1 minute until thick and slightly golden.
(This step thickens your soup and makes it creamy.)
Step 4 — Add Broth and Potatoes
Add the beef broth and stir well.
Stir in:
- The cooked hamburger
- Diced potatoes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
Simmer 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
Step 5 — Add Milk and Cheese
Lower the heat to prevent curdling.
Stir in:
- Milk (or cream)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Mix until melted and smooth.
Step 6 — Adjust Seasoning
Taste and add salt, pepper, or additional seasoning if needed.
Step 7 — Serve Warm
Top with extra cheese, bacon bits, or green onions.
🧀 Tips for Perfect Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup
⭐ Use freshly shredded cheese
Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking powders that prevent smooth melting.
⭐ Don’t boil after adding cheese
Boiling can cause cheese to separate. Keep heat low.
⭐ Cut potatoes evenly
This ensures they cook at the same rate.
⭐ Use Yukon gold for best texture
They stay creamy and hold their shape well.
⭐ Want thicker soup?
Add extra flour or mash a few potatoes right in the pot.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This soup is delicious on its own, but here are great ways to elevate the meal:
- Warm dinner rolls
- Buttered garlic bread
- Cheddar biscuits
- Mixed green salad
- Crispy bacon crumble on top
- Pickles or coleslaw on the side
🌶️ Flavor Variations
1. Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Add:
- 6 slices cooked bacon
- A splash of Worcestershire
- A little mustard
Tastes like a bacon cheeseburger in soup form!
2. Spicy Hamburger Potato Soup
Add:
- Jalapeños
- Pepper jack cheese
- Red pepper flakes
3. Veggie-Loaded Version
Add:
- Frozen peas
- Corn
- Bell peppers
- Spinach near the end of cooking
4. Creamier Version
Use:
- Heavy cream instead of milk
- Extra cheese
5. Low-Carb Keto Version
Replace potatoes with:
- Cauliflower florets
- Diced turnips
🧊 How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
Freezer
Because it contains dairy, freezing may cause texture changes.
But if you’d like to freeze:
- Freeze without the cheese and milk
- Add dairy after reheating
Reheating
Reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop, stirring often.
⚖️ Nutrition (Approx per serving)
Will vary by cheese and milk used.
- Calories: 380–450
- Protein: 20g
- Carbs: 28–32g
- Fat: 22–26g
📌 Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup (Printable Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cups diced potatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp parsley flakes
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large pot; drain and set aside.
- Melt butter and sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic 4–5 minutes.
- Add flour and stir 1 minute.
- Pour in beef broth. Add potatoes, beef, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Simmer 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Add milk and cheese; stir until melted.
- Adjust seasoning and serve warm with toppings.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup is everything you want in a comforting homemade meal—rich, hearty, cheesy, warm, and incredibly satisfying. It’s family-friendly, budget-friendly, and perfect for winter nights or anytime you need something cozy and delicious.
Print
Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup: A Hearty, Comforting Family Favorite
Ingredients
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or plant-based crumbles)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups peeled and diced potatoes (about 2–3 medium)
• 4 cups low-sodium beef or vegetable broth
• ½ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt & black pepper to taste
• Optional: ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (for creaminess)
• Cooked bacon bits, green onions, or extra cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion 4–5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in potatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 15–20 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
- Use a potato masher to lightly crush some of the potatoes—this thickens the soup.
- Stir in milk, cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat gently (do not boil) until cheese is melted.
- For extra creaminess, stir in sour cream or Greek yogurt if using.
- Taste and adjust seasoning—add more cheese, salt, or a splash of hot sauce for kick.
- Serve hot, garnished with bacon bits, green onions, or a sprinkle of extra cheddar.
✨ Perfect for chilly nights, meal prep, or pairing with crusty bread!
💡 Make it gluten-free: Ensure broth is GF.
💡 Slow cooker option: Add all ingredients (except cheddar and garnishes) and cook on LOW 6–8 hours. Stir in cheese before serving.
PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time : 15 mins , Cook Time : 25 mins , Total Time : 40 mins , Servings : 4 , Calories : 340 per serving , Net Carbs: 26g , Fats: 18g , Protein: 22g